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Kari does
my graphic and ad design, but I have picked up a thing or two
about simple ad layouts for the average small business.
The following references are from Word 2003 - they changed
everything in the 2007 version, and I have not taken the time to
figure out the differences.
1. Offline and online, text
only ads do work. We have all seen the text-heavy
pages online, and the advertorial-looking display ads in the
newspapers and magazines. Your opinion of them (mine
included) doesn’t matter. All that matters is the
response they get.
So, if you are looking to design
a small display ad (Yellow Pages, newspaper, trade mags, etc.),
and don’t want to hire a graphic artist, here is the simple
way to do it.
First, create a text box.
In MS Word, go to Insert ->
Text Box -> Horizontal.
You will get a little box like
this …
As you move the mouse over the
box – specifically over the edges - you will notice that when
you click on one of the lines, it highlights the box and makes
the mouse change to …
… cross hairs …
… or arrows.
If you use the cross hair, you
can move the text box around. If you use the arrows, you can
stretch the size of the ad to whatever layout you prefer.
[SIDE NOTE: If you are held to a
specific size of ad – position the mouse on one of the text
box sides, then right click the mouse. Click on “Format
Text Box”, then “Size.” Enter the exact dimensions of the
ad and the box will resize automatically. Your text must fit
inside the ad, as is.
Let say we were creating an ad
for some skin cream, and we are running it in some community
newspapers (as an example). The ad must be 2.7” x 6”.
After following the above directions, here is the size of the
box (with the ad text put in).
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SKIN CARE NEWS
FLASH: “Australian Rebel Emu Confronts Plastic
Surgeons – and WINS!”
The Ultimate All-Natural
Aging and Anti-Wrinkle Breakthrough is finally here from
the Australian Outback. Exclusively formulated to
reduce wrinkles, improve your skin’s firmness,
moisturize from the inside out and guaranteed to help
you look 10 years younger.
The Australian Emu has a
natural gift that eliminates signs of wrinkles and
aging. Call xxx today at xxx.xxx.xxxx to receive your
FREE Special Report – “Emu Secrets to Youthful,
Wrinkle Free Skin.” Look years younger without Botox
or other painful, expensive surgical approaches.
Call today to reserve your time for a FREE Report –
while they last. xxx – xxx.xxx.xxxx
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2. Nothing fancy, but it works
(as did this ad). You can also make it stand out even more
with the borders of the ad.
Take the same ad and right click
on one of the ad’s lines. Click Format Text Box, then the
colors and lines tab. Adjust the type of line, and the weight of
the line, and you will get a completely different approach.
3. Next, try adding in a
picture. This will change the amount of text in the ad,
so either buy bigger ad space or cut out some of the text.
Photos (ones that help support
the product or service offer) can make a substantial difference
in results. In some of the previous ads I showed, the
addition of my cowboy cartoon actually increased my leads by ~
15% (depending on the week it ran).
Click the mouse in the ad
approximately where you want the photo. Then insert a
picture from file (you need to have the photo saved to a
convenient place on your computer). Move and resize the photo as
described above.
MORE
EXAMPLES
I had some
requests to show a few more examples of ads I had written for
others that worked. Again, lead generation ads work – it
is up to you to find ways to make them fit your business and
industry.
Reports
work really well – qualified people are usually very
interested in learning as much as they can before making a
decision. Price shoppers don’t care – but you probably
aren’t going after the low cost buyers (tough to win that game
if you are a small business).
I have
also used a free dessert offer for a restaurant (bring in the
coupon). Free car wash. Free coffee mug. Free calendar.
Free samples. Basically, anything free that you can make
fit your main product or service will work.
Examples …
Classified ads
From
Roller Coaster “Test Pilot” to Successful Entrepreneur!
Discover the Success Secrets of The Young, Wealthy, and Healthy.
3 Simple Steps You Can Take Today To Love a Life of Your Dreams.
Call Tammy right now at 403.xxx.xxxx to get your FREE SPECIAL
REPORT – before they’re gone
Or …
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Shame Shame
Shame!
It’s a real
shame for you not to make good money when these two
Calgary ladies do it so easily!
She went from Roller
Coaster Test Pilot to Successful Entrepreneur in 3
simple steps.
Discover the Success
Secrets of The Young, Wealthy, and Healthy. 3 Simple
Steps You Can Take Today To Love a Life of Your Dreams.
Call Tammy right now at 403.xxx.xxxx to get your FREE
SPECIAL REPORT – before they’re gone
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I have
used the exact same copy, graphics and layout on postcards, and
mailed them out to an inactive list and to rented lists as well.
Anyone
in the real estate or mortgage business; this is a
great way to build your database. Offer free reports on buying a
home (or investing) in __<insert your city or neighborhood
here>___.
In a city
of a million people and 5,000 realtors, I have yet to see anyone
using this!
I have
mentioned it previously, but it’s worth repeating … out
of 5,000 realtors, I only know of one who has positioned herself
properly as “The Pet Lovers Realtor."
There are
a million different ways you can position yourself uniquely
using these ideas.
Get
creative – get innovative.
And get
busy enjoying your long weekend!
To your success,
Troy White
Contributor
A
Final Note:
If you have
specific subjects you would like addressed, or have any comments
on what you have seen here, please submit a comment below and I
will see how I can help.
"Don’t
wait. The time will never be just right.”
–Napoleon
Hill
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